Rooting for the Future

Entering into the 2012 season the Astros have one of the youngest opening day squads since the last time they fielded a rebuilding team.

At the time no one had any idea what any of those players might later become. It’s interesting when you look at the names on that roster though. A couple of them might jump out to you…. Biggo was 25, Bagwell 23, Luis Gonzalez 23, Darryl Kile 22, Curt Schilling 24, and Kenny Lofton 24. Not to mention a 28 year old Caminiti and a 26 year old Steve Finley.

Not all hall of famers, but all players that put together excellent careers. You wouldn’t have known it for the year they had in 1991. That year was the prior year of record for most losses in an Astros season (97). Last year of course beat that one handily with 9 more losses. It was a young team that had a lot of kids that were just getting their feet wet in the game. Much like what we have on the current Astros roster.

Will this year be as bad or worse than last year? It’s quite possible, but I think we’re going to see a few things come together.

First off, we’re not going to spend the year with trade rumors and constant distractions around our best players. No one will be pounding down our door for anyone on this squad this year. (Well, maybe Wandy or Meyers if they put together a good season.) The players can say what they will to the cameras, but everyone know all of that trade talk was a constant distraction.

Second, though we still have some completely fresh faces, a couple of the key players have gotten their feet wet with some time in the majors last year. Altuve, Bogusevic, and JD Martinez can become significant offensive contributors if they continue to mature. All 3 had decent springs and are making changes/adjustments that are getting results. Martinez has the potential to turn into a monster 3-4 hitter with a few more turns around the league.

Then you have Chris Johnson and Jordan Schafer. The rumors coming out of Spring Training is that both of these guys have finally gotten their heads out of their back sides and are showing the commitment to their craft that equals their skill and potential. Finally. Both of these guys have shown flurries of serious abilities, but haven’t been able to keep it consistent over the long haul. Hopefully that will change this year with new attitudes.

Last but not least is Jason Castro. Having him back will make all the difference in the world for our pitching staff. I’d go as far as saying his presence behind the dish alone is worth at least a 10-15 game improvement over last year. Quintero was a good fielding catcher with an awesome arm, but calling a game wasn’t his strongest point. With Castro we’re getting a real student of the game and someone who will know every hitter in the league and every pitcher on the team like the back of his hand. It’ll be nice to have a steady, intelligent, skilled fielding catcher potentially on par with Ausmus again. Of course this one might hit some too.

So while it’s true that these Astros won’t be in contention for the pennant this year, and may have trouble just staying out of the cellar, it doesn’t mean they aren’t worth rooting for. How many of these guys might turn into future hall of famers? Could this season help establish some of these guys as future cornerstone players for us? Or maybe they’ll become valuable enough to another team that we could get a cornerstone player in trade.

No matter what happens though, if you love baseball (and underdogs), how can you not root for these guys? Don’t get caught up in the ownership, or the GM’s moves, or the amount of payroll, or the upcoming move to the AL, or how they did last year…just go to the game and enjoy it for what it is: A great sport in a great city in a great park with great people.